Nascar – Harvick wins in Las Vegas, Disdier reconnects

Nascar

Kevin Harvick (Ford) is hitting hard at the start of the season. The resident of the Stewart-Haas Racing signed its second consecutive victory after dominating the Pennzoil 400 contested on the 1,5 mile oval of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Nevada) after 209 laps spent in the lead out of the 267 of the event. The 2014 champion also achieved success in all three segments and celebrated his 100th success in the three national series on Victory Lane.

Si Fod reste invaincu cette année après trois courses, les trois constructeurs sont représentés dans le tiercé de tête. Kyle Busch (Toyota) a pris la deuxième place en échouant tout de même à près de trois secondes du vainqueur, au terme d’une course fluide principalement perturbée par le crash entre Kurt Busch (Ford) et Chase Elliott (Chevrolet).

Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) followed in third place more than 13 seconds behind defending champion Martin Truex Jr (Toyota) and Penske drivers Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.

Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) finally gets closer to the Top 10 by finishing in 12th place. The start of the season remains difficult for Hendrick Motorsports.

Nascar Truck Series

Michel Disdier reconnects
After two starts at Daytona (Florida) in 2014 and 2016, Michel Disdier discovered the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for what was his third start in the World Truck Series. At the wheel of his Chevrolet Silverado, the Frenchman had to regain his bearings on a technical track within the brand new Young's Motorsports team. “We have been looking for a while to get back into the discipline, he confirmed to us. It wasn't easy to discover such a technical track, whether in terms of settings or driving, especially since we only had very few laps during testing. I was very well received by the team. Michael Waltrip even came to see me to give me valuable advice. »

Qualified in 22nd place without having had time to perfectly adjust his car, Michel Disdier had a good start to the race, taking advantage of a better-tuned car until his first pit stop. “The pit was perfect, but we received a penalty for excessive speed. In fact, the rev counter was incorrectly set even though I had left myself a margin. » Starting at the back of the peloton, things were going to get even worse when leader Brett Moffitt caught him while trying to take a lap. “I had Bret Moffitt and Kyle Busch surrounding me,” the wildcard told us. I followed the instructions, but I think Brett didn't lift his foot enough because he must have lost control before hitting me. This contact certainly caused a puncture because I went sideways for 800 meters a few laps later. »

The Niçois nevertheless managed to place 19th in the Stratosphere 200 won by Kyle Busch in a race which had 32 participants, despite a damaged car that became very oversteering in the final laps. More importantly, Young's Motorsports could offer the French driver one or more chances again this season.